Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the appellant's left wrist disability and denied any increase in rating for his right ring finger disability.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible evidence linking the veteran's current symptoms to in-service stressors. Service connection was granted for a right wrist disability, but with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome but denied the claim of left carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of a current disability diagnosis.

The veteran's left wrist fracture residuals are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not show favorable ankylosis in 20 to 30 degrees of dorsiflexion, which would justify a higher evaluation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's pre-existing left wrist disability, diagnosed as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), was aggravated by service. The condition existed prior to her period of active duty and increased in severity during service.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted due to the plausible nature of his case, and further development is needed to determine if he qualifies for benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for scars of the right wrist and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. However, the veteran is seeking an increased rating.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected status post tendon repair with nerve injury, left wrist. The current 40 percent evaluation is appropriate given the severity of the veteran's symptoms and functional impairment.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claim as he is no longer alive.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disorder, granted an increased rating of 20 percent for chronic prostatitis, and denied his other claims. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of cutting his left wrist, finding that there was no evidence to support a current disability related to the inservice laceration. The issue of special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to PTSD is remanded.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's right wrist and hand disability to his service-connected scar of the right elbow, thus denying the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disorder was not well-grounded due to lack of documented treatment in service and current evidence of a disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain of the wrists, ankles, and right knee. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hearing loss. The rating for left wrist fusion was increased to 30 percent, effective from November 1, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran submitted a timely substantive appeal regarding the September 1997 rating decision granting compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for tremors of the right wrist and assigning a 20 percent evaluation, thus closing his appeal.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another or by reason of being housebound was denied due to his nonservice-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and residuals of a back injury are not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral wrist ganglion cysts is being remanded due to the need for additional medical development and review of existing records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren's contracture as being proximately due to or the result of his service connected right arm disability. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for faulty union of the right upper radius and ulna with some deformity was granted, but he is not bound by this decision as it has been vacated.